Thursday, February 16, 2012

Greek Democracy: Withering on the vine

Greece should not hold early elections and Prime Minister Lucas Papademos should remain in office until 2013, Greek Economy Minister Michalis Chryssohoidis said in comments released on Thursday.

Speaking to foreign journalists in Frankfurt late Wednesday, Chryssohoidis said: "We believe the elections should be held in 2013, at the end of the current legislature."

That was the view of his whole party, the Socialist PASOK party, the minister claimed.

What is most worrying is that though this would mean that the unelected Government headed by Papademos would therefore last for another year, and this would speed the bailout, at what price to democracy.

Worse still for the Greeks it would mean that there would be no democratic outlet for the Greek people, who are already revolting. Mr Chryssohoidis may think that under his plans the current Government will last another year to force through the EU's debilitating plans, but the Athenian mob may think differently. If his plans come about, that the April election be postponed, I would lay evens that they will be overthrown by the street.